Veterans: Life after combat
By: Meghan de St. Aubin
Many young men and women find it difficult to establish their own identity in every day life. Imagine joining the military, deploying to a foreign land and starting a brand new life of the next four years.  Is it really a new beginning or the beginning of the end?


The word ‘veteran’ brings many things to mind. An admirable solider fighting for nothing other than American freedom is often what many people see. The only other part shown to the public is the extreme negative side that many young people are dying, a time that could be compared to the Vietnam War era. However, what is it that is going on inside the minds of these young men and women? How are they coping with being away from home, or being injured? It seems as though life isn’t how it use to be when they return home.

At the age of 18, Tim Bolden enlisted in the U.S. Navy. From a small town in Northwest Georgia, there weren’t many options besides working construction and going to college. Uncertain of who exactly he was, and what he wanted to do, he joined the military. He says he had no preconceived notions about what to expect. He just knew he would not have to think about what he would do for the next four years of his life.

While stationed in Guam, Bolden says that while on land, temptation often arose.  With his military privileges he was allowed to drink at eighteen.

“It felt like I had access to whatever I wanted. We felt like we deserved it after being on a ship for so long,” says Bolden.

Booker Wallace, a benefits counselor at The United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA), says that secondly to unemployment the biggest problem veterans have to deal with is drugs and alcohol. According to Wallace it is not at all uncommon for veterans to return with a drug habit, much like Bolden began to experience in Guam.

“Normally overseas alcohol and drugs are very inexpensive and easy to get,” says Wallace.

Bolden says that when he returned home he went on a drinking binge for four straight days. The most traumatizing part of being discharged he said, was no longer knowing what was ahead for him. He was unemployed and left with a habit that he could not quite shake.

While Bolden was fortunate enough to not have been injured, there are many veterans that have to deal with the physical and mental instability of being injured.

Michael Sandoval, 25, still remembers when he was injured in Iraq. He was hit by an I.E.D. (roadside bomb). He was immediately taken to an American hospital. While recovery was difficult he says he received only the most excellent care from the VA.

“I dealt with the VA about six months before I got out of the military in 2008. Two months after I was discharged I began receiving disability payments,” says Sandoval. He says still, four years after he has been injured he gets calls from the VA every month or two asking if he needs anything.

After Sandoval was discharged he received several job offers. He also used the GI Bill, an education benefit for veterans, to pay for his college education. He is currently a student at Kennesaw State University. He says that his injury is behind him and has been able to move on with his life.

The future ahead for Sandoval seems to be a little different than for Bolden. Bolden says he tried college, but says he is still struggling with adjusting to civilian life. The VA has supplied him with rehab and counseling.

        “Sometimes I forget I’m even a veteran,” says Bolden. “I’m proud of my service, but I’m not sure what I have to show for it.”

Bolden's early days in Guam.

Bolden often struggled with his identity in the military.